Finch

POSITIVES…

  • A road trip story that includes moral life lessons learned in a post-apocalyptic setting and through a robot. It's (the always good) Tom Hanks, a robot, and a dog! How's that for a movie premise? 

  • The robot is a fantastic CG character played by Caleb Landry Jones, and is the best accomplishment by this movie. Gotta love those moments when the robot tries to get along with the dog. 

  • Watching the relationship, interactions, and conversations between Finch, the robot, and Goodyear the dog, is at the heart of what makes this a good watch.

  • That whole scene involving a diner and learning to drive could have been a short film unto itself, as it was so excellently made, and encompasses everything this movie is all about. 

  • Fascinating, entertaining, heartwarming, and emotional. This simple movie had far more to offer than I initially would have thought. It moved me.

NEGATIVES…

  • Hey look, it's yet another post-apocalyptic movie. Hope you aren't tired of that just yet. 

  • Inherently has a depressing premise for a movie with sad stories to tell. That is not for everyone. 

  • Certain predictably familiar plot turns will pop up here. I'd like to see a post-apocalyptic story that doesn't do the typical things for a change. 

  • Some contrived plot developments and conveniences here and there. 

  • The plot-reveal during the last 30 minutes may be considered too unbelievable. I know a certain group of people will be rolling their eyes.

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Finch - watched it on APPLE TV+

Eternals

POSITIVES…

  • People said that the MCU movies are starting to feel too similar to each other. Well folks, here’s a different kind of story to tell in this cinematic universe, filled with different kinds of interesting and provocative themes and concepts. Are you happy now?! I know I am. I wanted more, and couldn’t get enough of… 

  • The characters. What a delightful cast of wonderful actors playing these roles, and all with great chemistry. Gemma Chan as Sersi, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Barry Keoghan as Druig, all are standouts, but give it up to the scene stealers that are Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo and Harish Patel as Karun! The whole running joke with the documentary. Loved the…  

  • Imagery. Beyond the wonderfully diverse locations featured, or the sleek looking outfits being worn, I want to specifically point out how the visual representation of a particular character is just… wow. Talk about… 

  • Scale. I am impressed by the grand scale of the overall story being told in this movie, that it’s almost too overwhelming. It can be pretty dense, that you might need some… 

  • Time. These unfamiliar characters in this unfamiliar story gets a 2 hrs and 37 mins film from the get go?! Honestly, I was so enthralled by the movie, it really didn’t feel too long for me at all. That I would say is a sign of a good time at the cinema.

NEGATIVES…

  • The most different feeling in tone and style out of all the MCU movies? Probably true, and that just might be considered a turn-off. 

  • Exposition. Exposition. Exposition. The reason this movie is as long as it is is due to all the dialogue required to explain so many things. All were necessary though? Sure? Can feel repetitive? Yes? 

  • Due to the huge cast, it’s easy to say that there are some characters that just didn’t get the amount of screen time you would have hoped. 

  • “Not enough action sequences, too much talking.” I’m pretty sure that’s going to be a common criticism to make of this. 

  • For some people, this movie might be the tipping point to how overwhelming the mythological aspects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can get.

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Eternals - watched it IN THEATERS

The Harder They Fall

POSITIVES…

  • If you’ve been itching for a Cowboy Western movie with all the familiar plot tropes, plus shootouts, but also want one that can offer a different kind of perspective, then this film is going to check all those boxes very nicely. You will likely enjoy watching the premise, along with some running plot lines that are so much fun to see play out in the story.

  • This has a fantastic ensemble cast, led by the amazing Jonathan Majors, along with Regina King, Zazie Beetz, Danielle Deadwyler, RJ Cyler, Idris Elba, LaKeith Stanfield, and so many more! They are playing so many distinctly memorable characters in this movie too, with several of them based on real life historical figures. 

  • My favorite aspect about this movie by far is the writing. The dialogue, the verbal exchanges, and quips between the characters. Loved them.  

  • Visually, this movie is way too excellent. The set locations, the cinematography, colorful, camera work, to just watching those tightly directed set pieces and action beats. Your eyes will be glued to the screen.  

  • It’s got an awesome soundtrack! Worked so well with this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • Can feel a little indulgent. Take its sweet time. Really doesn't have to be as long as it is. 

  • Occasionally has those slower kinda boring scenes between the intriguingly exciting plot.  

  • The coincidences once again of the background characters being bad shots. 

  • There is a whole plot development that just seemed dumb. So dumb it ruined the movie's integrity a bit for me. Seemed like an excuse to lead to… 

  • ...Maysfield. Was that whole sequence just pandering to the audience? Seemingly all that for the silly visual and caption joke relating to that sequence?

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The Harder They Fall - watched it on NETFLIX

The French Dispatch

POSITIVES…

  • Love the narrative structure of this film being an anthology of different visualized stories based on tales written about the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. The interestingly distinct characters, the world building, to the cleverly written dialogue, makes this quite a charming film. 

  • Visually this movie is a delight to watch. The deliberate framing of the scenes, the quaint settings, “live” still shots, animated sequences, to the fact that it looks like I’m watching a stage play with the most elaborate sets ever. The switching between aspect ratios also worked really well for this film. 

  • I really enjoyed the amusing, witty, sharp, tongue in cheek, sometimes cartoony sense of humor that is actually done in a subtle way that made me chuckle multiple times. Liked those visual gags too. 

  • There’s a certain uniquely unexpected randomness to certain sequences that entertained me a lot, and only made me even more excited to see what else this film is going to show me. 

  • The cast. The ensemble cast. The ohmigod this is a huge cast of actors with brief roles! Gotta give some stand-out kudos to Benicio del Toro, Léa Seydoux, Adrien Brody, Frances McDormand, Lyna Khoudri, and Jeffrey Wright. Fantastic work by all!

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s easy to criticize a Wes Anderson movie as being somewhat pretentious, overly quirky, a bit precious, too intellectual, kinda elitist, pretty artsy, and just full of itself. This film can check all those boxes if this isn’t your cup of tea. 

  • I get the reasoning behind switching between color and black & white, but wow there’s a lot of black & white in this one. I wouldn’t complain so much if it wasn’t for the fact that the scenes with color are beautifully colorful to look at, and I wanted more of that. 

  • Your results may vary, but out of the three main stories, I loved the first one the most. This unfortunately means that I liked the rest of the movie slightly less than the beginning parts. Not that much less mind you, but it just didn’t quite live up to what I loved from that first act. 

  • In “Revisions to a Manifesto – by Lucinda Krementz,” just about all the cast surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s and Frances McDormand’s characters are speaking in French (with english captions). I get why McDormand has to speak in English, but it honestly kinda bothered me and took me out of the movie whenever Chalamet continued to speak in English during conversations that clearly should be fully in French. Chalamet is fluent in French ain’t he? We Anderson, why did you make that choice?! 

  • You prudes will probably balk at the nudity that’s featured in this film. Especially those full frontal ones.

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The French Dispatch - watched it IN THEATERS

Till Death

POSITIVES…

  • As a thriller, this delivered far more than I expected for what appears to be a rather simple premise. Who would have thought being handcuffed to someone can be a plot that actually can go places.

  • What will keep you watching this movie is seeing how the main revenge scheme plays out, as well as the cat and mouse game between the characters. 

  • The whole “what would I do if I was in her situation” is likely something that will cross your mind multiple times. It’s part of the fun of the plot. 

  • For those going into this just for Megan Fox, I don’t think you will be disappointed. 

  • Eoin Macken is dead weight in this, and for this movie, that’s a compliment!

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s not exactly the deepest or most spectacular movie you’ll see. 

  • Doesn’t really grab your attention until about the 25 minutes mark. 

  • There are plot coincidences for sure, but the story relies on them too much to keep going. 

  • Hope you aren’t squeamish about blood, because this one has a lot of that to go around. 

  • Hate to point it out but why does it seem like Megan Fox has a limited range of facial expressions?

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Till Death - watched it on NETFLIX

Army of Thieves

POSITIVES…

  • If you like heist movies, then this one is absolutely worth checking out. You might also be interested in watching this, if you liked the character of Dieter from the movie Army of the Dead as played by Matthias Schweighöfer. Schweighöfer once again does a fantastic job in the adorably awkward, quirky, and scares-easily role. Plus he directed this movie too! 

  • Along with Dieter, Nathalie Emmanuel as Gwendoline and Ruby O. Fee as Korina are easy stand outs in the cast. Especially Korina. I want more of Korina! 

  • Safe cracking competition. The heists themselves. Characters getting to know each other through small quaint moments filled with levity. This movie has several entertaining scenes to enjoy. 

  • There’s an undeniably fun energy throughout the movie, with the meta and pop culture references being part of what I liked about it. 

  • I love how Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner is a big part of this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • I honestly could have lived without the zombies or the connection with Army of the Dead.  

  • There's such a cliche of a running subplot between two characters that I wished wasn't in the movie. 

  • Speaking of derivatives. It’s likely just another meta call back to other heist films, but there is a major plot turn that’s so very “been there, done that.” 

  • I suppose I'm not a safecracker so I can't judge, but Sebastian's safecracking super power felt too much like a leap of faith for me. It’s cool, sure, but still.

  • While we’re on that subject… although there are some flourishes to the safes that need to be cracked, I somehow feel like they could have been more elaborate and adventurous to figure out.

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Army of Thieves - watched it on NETFLIX

Last Night in Soho

POSITIVES…

  • Gotta hand it to Edgar Wright for giving us a slightly different kind of film about a creepy haunting, that goes to some dark places with the premise and the themes.

  • Captivating film to watch, just from the evocative colorful cinematography , to the visual tricks and flourishes involving mirrors, plus those interchangeable characters / location settings. Not to mention the fantastic scenes of wonder and suspense that will grab your attention.

  • Speaking of grabbing your attention, Thomas McKenzie is phenomenal in her role as Ellie. Perfectly juggles her character’s roller coaster of emotions, and is fantastic as the scream queen of this story. She is easily one of the main reasons to see this film.

  • Equally having an incredible screen presence is the scene stealing Anya Taylor-Joy who absolutely shines in this movie. She gets to even showcase her singing and dancing, which I have to give her a lot of kudos for.

  • The 1960s era soundtrack mixed with the Soho area of London is just a perfect combo for this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • If you’re not a fan of 1960s songs, then this might not be the movie for you.

  • There’s a hard tonal shift in the narrative that aggressively reminds you what kind of movie this really is. Hopefully you’re able to recover from such a jarring change up.

  • Cheats a bit with certain plot points that unfortunately cheapens the story a little.

  • Arguably has some themes, messaging, and scenes that are too overworked and messy.

  • The roommate character is too much of a cartoony cliché.

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Last Night in Soho - watched it IN THEATERS

Ron's Gone Wrong

POSITIVES…

  • While there is a general familiarity to this premise, characters, and even the themes of the story, this animated movie still manages to be very entertaining. Once you jump into the plot, how do you not want to see it play out until the end? 

  • The relationship between Barney and Ron is clearly at the heart of this tale. With that said, it’s really Ron that absolutely wins this movie above everything else. Ron is just too enjoyable of a character. Gotta love that little robot! 

  • Certain sequences were so much fun to watch, especially that one particular scene during school recess.

  • This movie has some good recurring jokes, from registered user’s name, best friend out of the box, to rocks. Not THE Rock, but rocks. Just rocks. 

  • Speaking of jokes, “Mad Max meets Sesame Street.” This isn’t just a kid’s movie, there are references that only adults will get. I mean they play the sound of a dial-up modem, and I don’t think kids nowadays know what that sounds like.

NEGATIVES…

  • Said it already, but there is a derivativeness to this movie that can’t be ignored. Expect some familiar plot tropes to pop up. 

  • Plotwise, there’s a lot of things you can easily nitpick at. 

  • Final act gets far more convoluted than it needed to be. It already had an ending at a certain point, but then they just stretched it out even more unnecessarily! 

  • Arguably too heavy handed and unoriginal of a thematic lesson. 

  • Ron looks a little too inspired by certain other white robots with round figures from certain other animated movies.

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Ron’s Gone Wrong - watched it IN THEATERS

Night Teeth

POSITIVES…

  • It's got a solid vampire movie premise and has genuinely interesting ideas that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of. 

  • Jorge Lendeborg Jr. is great as Benny, who is a bit awkward, idealistic, a little naive, but brave. He gets caught up in this world where Vampires actually exist. So seeing and wondering what he does in that situation, essentially makes him the audience surrogate for us to follow. 

  • Benny’s interactions and dynamic with the characters Blaire and Zoe, as played by Debby Ryan and Lucy Fry respectively, are what makes this worth checking out. 

  • Accentuated red colors contrasted with the blackness of night and shadows, showcases some excellent cinematography.  

  • Felt like it captured a particular atmosphere and vibe that is very much like Los Angeles at night.

NEGATIVES…

  • Simply put, for the mythology and premise that it has, this movie is just not grand or epic enough to stand above it’s derivative nature. 

  • Frustrating contrived illogical moments that could ruin your suspension of disbelief.  

  • Doesn't move fast enough for my taste, and has such a leisure pace that it might make some of you lose interest. 

  • There were several exposition scenes, and certain ones were done a bit on the clunky side. 

  • If you went into this movie specifically because of two certain known actresses, then you will probably be disappointed.

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Night Teeth - watched it on NETFLIX

Titane

POSITIVES…

  • It is safe to say that you probably have never seen a movie premise quite like this before. Give it up for being such an original experience that subtlety gives you lots of thought provoking themes. It’s quite the experience. 

  • Provocative. Erotic. Excessive. Shocking. Twisted. Visceral. Endearing. 

  • Agathe Rousselle and Vincent London are spectacular in this! Their characters, and their connection with each other is just fascinating to observe, and makes you wonder where the two are heading. 

  • Needless to say, the narrative goes in places you might not have expected. 

  • Watching a scene start seemingly innocent enough, and then like WTF did I just see?! It’s nice when a movie can surprise you. Especially when it can do it through some beautifully arresting visuals.

NEGATIVES…

  • Might get too gross or too outrageous for some people. Brutal violence and/or body horror are not for everybody. 

  • Certain scenes that you might not want permanently scarred into your mind. 

  • Depending on how you take it, the second act may feel like a speed bump to the overall drive of the narrative. 

  • There's simply an impossibility to a particular plot that you just might not get over. 

  • May not have the most satisfying conclusion or pay off that you were hoping for.

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Titane - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND